FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Investigators Rule Crown Center Farms Fire Unintentional

COLUMBIA, MO (March 26, 2014) -

Columbia Fire Department investigators have ruled the cause of the fire at Crown Center Farms that occurred Sunday March 23, 2014, as unintentional.

Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief Brad Fraizer stated 'The Columbia Fire Department working with the State Fire Marshal's office has determined the fire at Crown Center Farms originated in the southeast corner of the structure, in the vicinity of a furnace. The official cause is unintentional. We cannot rule out the furnace as the potential cause.'

'The State Fire Marshal's office brings a considerable amount of experience and expertise to bear on total losses, such as this, which can be very challenging to investigate. We are very grateful for their assistance in this investigation' Fraizer stated.

The scene has been released to insurance investigators who are calling in furnace experts to further evaluate what role, if any, it may have contributed in this fire.

The total damage estimate for the building and contents is placed at $750,000.